PAT Testing

All portable devices (so anything with a mains plug on it) should be PAT tested before being used. We have the PAT testing kit and a number of members of the community can test a device for you. Ask anyone from this list if you've got a device which needs testing:

• Russ Cottier
• Adrian McEwen
• Paul Geering
• Mike Gorman

The results of the PAT testing are recorded in https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1TUdTJlK5FCumf9jfq-RXyQ1-jTulLGPEBmIIyPqTHUA/edit?usp=sharing

Helping Out With PAT Testing

More people to help out with this would be great! You don't need a specific electrical qualification, it needs to be done by a "competent person". Ask one of the current test team if you've got any questions.

1. Take the online test at https://www.onlinepattestingcourse.co.uk/
2. Take a screenshot of the pass screen
3. Email it to [email protected] so we've got a record of you having passed

Additional Notes

Devices should be tested and results logged in the spreadsheet. If a device fails, raise a new issue and record the number in the appropriate column.

Leakage Current

Some devices show up as a failure on the PAT tester due to leakage current. Some times that could still be a pass. This was investigated during issue #1641. From this summary:

In particular, https://www.pat-testing-training.net/articles/iet-code-of-practice-5th-edition.php which goes into the leakage limits in more detail. From that, even in the 4th edition the 0.75mA limit for leakage current is only for "handheld and portable", whereas there was a 3.5mA limit for "Class I IT, Movable, Stationary & Fixed". I think the laser-cutters would come under that latter category. In the 5th edition all of the limits have been increased to 5mA.

So from my reading of that, we're a way below the 4th edition limit even for Sophia's 2.36mA leakage (see https://github.com/DoESLiverpool/somebody-should/issues/1643) and below the 5th edition limit of 5mA for all devices.

Extension Leads

For recording extension leads I've taken the worst value from any of the sockets as the one for the (rather than log each one).

Sonoff Devices

The testing process for Sonoffs is:

1. For the visual inspection, ensure that:
   • the device is secured to a fixed location rather than flapping around in the breeze.
   • there is no weight suspended just on the cables
2. Test as an extension for RPE (which should be low) and Rinsulation (which should be high) and it must fail on the polarity test (because the live connection will be disconnected). If the polarity test passes, that will be a FAIL for the Sonoff.
3. Test as a Class II device